Designing a Natural Pool with additional fish habitat area for the Sustainable Hemp Home Series.
Top View Natural Pool Design with Fish Habitat
Since the Hemp Home Designs are all about Sustainability. Why wouldn’t the pool be as well and while we are at building a natural pool we might as well incorporate a fish habitat into the natural pool design. This will allow the pool to serve as a food source in addition to the entertainment value.
Reserving at least 50 percent of your pool’s surface area for shallow plants, either at one end or in a ring around the sides, eliminates the need for chlorine and expensive filters and pumps. You’ll want to separate the swimming area of your pool and the filtration area, or plant zone (see the illustration in the image gallery).
The water needs to circulate continuously for the plants’ roots to cleanse the pool. You also may need to aerate the water so the water organisms’ oxygen needs are met.
Without adequate oxygen, your pool could become stagnant, harboring odoriferous anaerobic bacteria.
Besides cleaning the water and making your pool beautiful to behold, the shallow plant zone warms the water quickly and provides habitat for frogs and many invertebrates. They’ll appreciate the shallow water for breeding grounds and repay the favor by eating mosquito larvae.
A rim within an inch of the water’s surface keeps plants in their place but allows water from the swimming area to move to the plant zone for filtering, As water passes through the fibrous root structure of the plants, bacteria concentrated on the plants’ roots act as a biological filter, removing contaminants and excess nutrients in the water. Decomposer organisms, also found in the plants’ root zones, consume the bacteria, effectively eliminating underwater waste buildup.
Collection of Hemp Home Design CAD Drawing photos showcasing the sustainable lifestyle that this net zero energy efficient home, gardens, pergola, solar panels, solar water heating, pool, garage, safe room, basement, fireplace, 4 bedroom, 2 bath…
hemp-home-stucco-birds-eyeHemp Home Complete Birds Eye View 3Hemp Home Stucco Finish 1Hemp Home Neighbors ViewHemp Home Side Yard StuccoHemp Home Pergola Arbor Garden FeatureHemp Home Rear Street ViewHemp Home Rooftop Back Yard View
Builders have been building Homes and Commercial Buildings using this design in Europe for many years now. With the legalization of Industrial Hemp in the USA. Now Americans can adopt this Sustainable Building practice into our designs to create homes that can grow and be built in 2 years.
In this example of Hemp Building I’ve eliminated much of the excess lumber that is not needed in the build because of the Post Frame Structure. When the Natural Lime and Hemp Fibers are mixed together it creates a concrete like material that is also high in insulation value- you get the best of both worlds:
A strong and durable Building that is also energy efficient that can withstand the abuse from the elements.
This Natural product that can also be grown most anywhere in the USA.
Thank you for checking out the CAD designs on the use of Industrial Hemp for creating an Energy Efficient Home.
If I can assist you in your quest to design or build using this type of construction technique utilizing hemp or other natural green building products drop me a line and let me know. Scotty
Hemp Home Design-Post Frame Structure-Wind and Earthquake Resistant
Post Frame Wood Structure Design-Industrial Hemp Wall Construction
Its all about Energy Efficiency and ConservingNatural Resources when using a Post Frame Building option with the added benefit: Post Frame Buildings are also Wind and Earthquake Resistant.
The design of buildings must account for wind loads, and these are affected by wind shear. For engineering purposes, a power law wind speed profile may be defined as follows:
where:
= speed of the wind at height
= gradient wind at gradient height
= exponential coefficient
Post Frame provides lateral load resistance, creating a unique building diaphragm that makes the light wood frame comparable in strength to light steel and concrete structures.
Summing all the above information up: Lateral Loading on a Building is the pressure caused by Wind on the Sides and Roof of a Building. Which is especially important to me since the buildings location will be in the Midwest which is also Tornado Alley and I do not want to be forced to rebuild after a Severe Storm.
Rear Stair Way for Rooftop Access is also the addition of a Modified Flying Buttress that resists the lateral forces pushing a wall outwards (which may arise from stone vaulted ceilings or from wind-loading on roofs) by redirecting the Lateral Forces to the ground.
What the untrained eye might see as a Rear Stair Way for Rooftop Access is also the addition of a Modified Buttress that resists the lateral forces pushing a wall outwards (which may arise from stone vaulted ceilings or from wind-loading on roofs) by redirecting the Lateral Forces to the ground.
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall. Buttresses are fairly common on more ancient buildings, as a means of providing support to act against the lateral(sideways) forces arising out of the roof structures that lack adequate bracing.
Read More on Lateral Loading at: Engineering Diaphragms (see ASAE EP 484.1 and APA Design/Construction Guide: Diaphragms)
Mr. Greg Flavall Co-Founder / Technical Director Hemp-Technologies Answered:
“”having looked at your website and design I’m intrigued. Although we have not done this style of roof I do not see what lime could not do the same as cement in this application- if it were sealed correctly. Typically we are using Hemp/Lime for walls which is covered with 15-20mm of lime plaster for weather protection on a vertical plane. We install hemp/lime under the roof where it is protected as insulation and in the floor (above grade only) where it can breathe.””
Why would you not consider a green roof cover in this style, much like the Adnams Brewery project in UK completed in 2008? Seems to me a better use of area.
Scotty added from Google Search for Adnams Brewery:
Solar Array and White Roof Water Proofing on Catalan Vault Type Roof Structure on Scottys Hemp HomeHemp Home Second Roof Design with Natural Lighting AddedHemp Home Catalan Vault Style Roof Waterproofing Detail
I found some additional details in English at this site http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Brick-Lakesidee28099s-Cornerstone-Part-7-The-Roof.aspx. I am now following the author on Twitter and FB! I’ll have more info on waterproofing the roof ASAP. I will also be contacting the Hempcrete Pros for their suggestions in incorporating their product into this system.
See the Youtube Video of how these Spanish Masons Waterproof the Catalan Style Roofs:
In my quest to promote affordable sustainable buildings has lead me to discover a new building product that provides high R-value for energy efficiency and has the strength of concrete. Hempcrete the new miracle building material! Since this will be my retirement home, I realize that to make my limited budget go as far as possible I will need to be:
Net Zero in Energy Consumption and Energy Production and at the same time being
affordable to build on a limited budget.
Most everyone is aware that Living Trees are needed in removing the Carbon Dioxide from the Air and if you have been to the local lumber yard lately the prices of lumber needed to build a traditional stick built home can be astronomical for the average budget and until insulation is added to the structure they are not energy efficient.
This Hemp Home design I’m working with eliminates a great percentage of Lumber needed in the building process and provides the insulation that will make heating and cooling this home easy and will be affordable! This is the best of both worlds.
This Hemp Home Design is all about Sustainability and will not sacrifice the Comfort Levels that I require.
Hemp Home Design 1
Hemp Home with Catalan Style Roof- “No Lumber Needed for Roof Structure”
The above photo is a Catalan or Boveda Vault Style Roof. When I watched this You Tube Video of the Spanish Masons in action; I realized that this was the solution to building a roof and ceiling with little to no lumber and it will be energy efficient and save me money on utility costs! The Exterior water proofing layer has not been added to the design at this stage so that the viewer can the Masonry Work that comprises the Catalan Vault Style Roof System.
Skylights in Boveda Style Ceiling- IMO The best looking ceiling on the market!
Hemp Home-Water Recycling-Water Collection System
The roof also will act as a Water Collection System that allows me to capture and store Rain Water for use in the Hemp Home. When a filter is added it can also act to provide the clean water needed for cooking, cleaning, and drinking.
The CAD drawing below is option 1 for the layout and design of the Hemp Home. My girl has already pointed out that I left out: Additional Bedrooms for Visitors and a Fireplace for heat- Luckily we’re in the design stage and not in the build stage of the Hemp Home. I’m sure this floor plan will change as we narrow down our needs and must haves.
Hemp Home Room List
2 Bedrooms- 1 Master Bedroom and 1 spare bedroom
1 1/2 Baths
Mechanical Room-Water Collection Point, HVAC Air Handler, Solar Inverter, Storage, Radiant Floor Heating
Green House
Mud Room
Dining Room / Living Room
Kitchen with Eat In counter
NOTE: These are not my final design plans stay tuned for additions and alterations to this Hemp Home Design as well as Build Notes on how and why I’ve chosen to build my future home with Hempcrete.
The fast growing Hemp Plant will enable me to Grow and Build a Hemp Home in 2 years!
My plans are to build this home in a rural setting where I can plant and grow a field of hemp to build this home. (If we decide to build in a City Setting I will purchase the Natural Hemp Fibers). While the Hemp is growing in the first year I will build the Stone – Rock Foundation for the home. After the Hemp field has grown, harvested, and prepped for building- I can then start building the walls of the home with a move in date in year 2!
If Hemp Building isn’t a solution to replacing the lumber needed for
building an energy efficient home I don’t know what is! Scotty
This type of Vaulted Roof Building is not new- Spanish Masons have been building these type of structures for years. See Mexico Insights:
Facts, Figures, Folklore & Fiestas at: http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Brick-Lakesidee28099s-Cornerstone-Part-7-The-Roof.aspx
My retirement home will be a Hemp Home! I feel a Hemp Home addresses the main issue facing mankind today co2 emissions without sacrificing comfort needed in both energy and lifestyle choices.
To ensure that my retirement income will provide the needed security as I age in place my hemp home will enable me to use natural resources in the building of the energy efficient structure-controlling costs in the build and the future energy costs.
Taking pointers from the first American Settlers: I will build my home from the land and use as many natural resources as possible.
I will use stones and rocks in the building of the Rubble Foundation that will support the Hemp Wall Construction.
I will grow and harvest the Hemp needed to build the walls-using Hempcrete-a natural lime based binder.
I plan to use a combination of Post and Beam – Timber Frame Construction techniques.
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Canadian Solar Panels for electricity
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Comfort-Sustainability-Natural Resources-Are just 3 areas that critical attention is given to in this sustainable design.
Netzero or better energy production from Solar Panels for electricity needs
Rainwater and Greywater Recycling for water need
Energy Conscious Build Technique
Rainwater and Greywater Recycling
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Electric Radiant Floor Heating
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Hempcrete will be utilized in the flooring and walls.
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Hemp Building addresses the issue that plagues traditional building techniques when the cost of carbon emissions is factored into the manufacturing process of the needed building materials. Scotty
<
p dir=”ltr” style=”padding-left:30px;”>I’ve been toying around with using the Catalan Vault Constructionbuild technique of Spanish Masons to construct the roof. [When I watched this youtube video of the Spanish Masons I realized that I can reduce the lumber needed to construct the roof and then by adding a slurry of hempcrete to the top of the roof I will have the strength needed to protect my home from the elements and provided the water barrier needed.]
To be continued- future posts will include: Design Plans, Material Lists, Hemp growing techniques, Hemp Harvesting, Timberframe construction, Hempwall Building, and more.
2013 annual stat report for Scotts Contracting-StLouis Renewable Energy
This blog was viewed about 27,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 10 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Design by Scotty-St.Louis Brick Home Hempcrete Exterior Insulation Retrofit CAD Design
Hempcrete Brick Wall Retrofit Estimated RValues
4 Inch Layer of Hempcrete = R14.2
Multi Wythe St Louis Brick Building= R5
Total Wall RValue=19.2
Hempcrete Brick Wall Retrofit Estimated RValues 4 Inch Layer of Hempcrete = R14.2 Multi Wythe St Louis Brick Building= R5 Total Wall RValue=19.2
My latest quest to Build a Green St.Louis by retrofitting the Brick Buildings located in the St.Louis Region.
Designed by Scotty- Stucco Like Finish Coat for Hempcrete Brick Wall Retrofit
Why Hempcrete and not other forms of insulation?
Brick Wall 2’0 Rebar Reinforcement Detail
Hemp Plant Fibers are a natural product that can be grown and sourced from Missouri Farmers.
Hempcrete is as strong as Concrete with less damaging effects to our climate and provides a High RValue
Adds Structural Reinforcement
The politics of bringing this product hempcrete product to market and grown locally I feel will be an uphill battle...until that time I suggest substituting Kenaf Plant Fibers instead of Hemp Plant Fibers.Stay Tuned for more information. Scotty 12-20-2013 Greg Flavall replied: “Bath Uni in UK have done extensive research across all waste cellulose including knaf and flax etc but hemp is the only hygroscopic cellulose that performs for insulation”
Depending on age of buildings u can ascertain whether lime mortar was used or cement. Older buildings used lime in which case u could add hemp/lime “plaster ” to exterior or interior to increase efficiency as we have done many times in Europe. If cement forget it; you’re asking for problems.
In UK we have had problems in the early days adding hempcrete to cement mortared brick clad buildings bc they do not breathe and the hemp has deteriorated;…
Also u can use an alkali resistant mesh cloth embedded into the Hempcrete for added flexural strength and no need for steel reinforcing unless you are horizontally affixing steel plates to retain brick structure
I’ll have additional details to add soon. Scotty
added: 3/2/14 via: Hemp Technologies: High Thermal Resistance (R-Value = 2.5 – 3.0 per inch)
I’m a tree lover until they are damaging StLouis Brick and Masonry buildings. When I get a call to repair the Damage- Scotts Contracting Gets to the Root of the Problem!
Here is a collection of projects and photos of Tree Damage Repair photos completed by Scotts Contracting-StLouis, MO.
Day 5 in the Benton Rehab Roof Project uncovered some interesting hidden gems in the roof system. In the photos below you can view the extensive tree Stump and Root Ball that started out as a sapling years ago and was left to its own accord.
However, this is not always the case, a root can also be aerial (growing above the … synthesise cytokinin, which acts as a signal as to how fast the shoots cangrow. …. Tree roots normally grow…Tree Root
All the Brick Buildings in the photos above are from StLouis Brick Buildings that have been seriously neglected. With a yearly maintenance plan the costs to repair Tree Damage could have been eliminated if the Tree Sapling would have been removed.
= speed of the wind at height 
= gradient wind at gradient height 
= exponential coefficient
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